Jerusalem Min: We all must support building throughout Jerusalem

Jerusalem Affairs Minister Ze'ev Elkin (Likud) spoke at the Knesset plenum about a bill by Yesh Atid and Zionist Union, concerning the shrinking population in the capital.

“The main reason for people leaving the city is the housing shortage and the high costs of housing,” he said.

“If the future of the city and its Jewish majority is truly important to Yesh Atid and Zionist Union, then I call on Yair Lapid and Bougie [Herzog] to stand together with us in an Israeli consensus in favor of building in every Jewish neighborhood in Jerusalem: in Har Homa and in Gilo, in Pisgat Ze'ev and in Ramat Shlomo.”

He also offered strong criticism towards the opposition, asking, “Why have you kept quiet over [UK Prime Minister David] Cameron's outrageous comments on the 'genuinely shocking' Israeli occupation of Jerusalem? Why are you silent over US officials' requests to avoid promoting building projects in Jewish neighborhoods ahead of Vice President Biden's visit and to only build for the Arab sector?”

He closed by demanding that the opposition “take a stand against Biden during his visit next week and let the Americans and Europeans know that there is a broad consensus in Israel in favor of building in all parts of Jerusalem. The city of Jerusalem is above petty politics.”